The 2009 Yankees played probably their best series in a disappointing season by defeating the 1953 Yankees five of six games. The 2K9 Yankees improved their record to 63-69 while the '53 Yankees fell to 50-40.
The offense for the 2K9 Yankees was really humming in this series; they scored 42 runs in their five wins and overcame late or significant deficits in four of those games. In Game One, they trailed 5-3 in the 8th only to score four runs, capped by a two-run homer by Robinson Cano, to win 7-5. The '53 Yankees evened the series in Game Two 6-4 behind Johnny Sain who got the win and hit a three-run homer of his own. The 2K9 Yankees won the remainder of the games in the series, starting with a 14-0 blowout in Game Three. While Andy Pettitte pitched a five-hit shutout, the offense saw everyone score or drive in a run thanks to 20 hits. In Game Four, they trailed 7-2 after six innings. In the 7th, they scored four runs, including a bases-loaded triple by Alex Rodriguez to cut the lead to one. Then they rallied for two more in the 9th off closer Allie Reynolds with a Juan Miranda RBI single and a Cano walk-off double for an 8-7 win. Cano continued to leave his fingerprints on this series in Game Five, a 9-5 win; they overcame a 5-0 deficit thanks in large part to Cano who went 3-5 with a triple, homer, and five RBI. In the final game, the '53 Yankees made the mistake of taking an early 3-0 lead. The 2K9 Yankees scored four in the 7th on a pair of two-run homers by Francisco Cervelli and Rodriguez to take a 4-3 lead. Mariano Rivera struck out Mickey Mantle with the bases loaded to end the game.
Derek Jeter leads the 2K9 Yankees in hitting at .293 with 19 home runs, 31 stolen bases, and 87 runs scored. Cano hit .444 in the series with three homers and 12(!) RBI to raise his average to .291 with 23 home runs. Jorge Posada got injured in the second game of this series; he is hitting .263 with 25 home runs and 99 RBI. A Rod is hitting .259 with 29 home runs, 13 stolen bases, 103 RBI, and 106 runs scored. Mark Teixeira is hitting .211 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI. Pettite’s shutout improved his record to 9-8 with a 3.59 ERA. Rivera now has 27 saves with a 2.51 ERA.
Gene Woodling leads the '53 Yankees in hitting at .338 with 59 RBI, 65 runs scored, and a .976 OPS. Hank Bauer is hitting .315 with 16 home runs, 55 RBI, and 74 runs scored. Mantle is hitting .305 with 26 home runs, 81 RBI, 75 runs scored, and a .964 OPS. Yogi Berra is hitting .253 with 20 home runs, 79 RBI, and 59 runs scored. After his win, Sain is 8-4 with a 3.91 ERA. The '53 Yankees will take on the 47-43 1978 Yankees in the next series.
